In 1960, the group known as The Four Lovers evolved into The Four Seasons, with Frankie Valli as the lead singer, Bob Gaudio (formerly of The Royal Teens) on keyboards and tenor vocals, Tommy DeVito on lead guitar and baritone vocals, and Nick Massi on bass guitar and bass vocals.
The Four Seasons and the Beach Boys were virtually the only American groups whose successful careers were not derailed when the Beatles and the British Invasion bands hit the States in 1964. In fact, 1964 ranks as the Four Seasons' biggest year of all, despite the insurgency from abroad, which attests to their durability and appeal among America's teenagers. That appeal stemmed from the Four Seasons' ability to complement spotless Italian-American doo-wop harmonies with the forceful falsetto and three-octave range of lead vocalist Frankie Valli - the other members were Bob Gaudio on keyboards and tenor vocals, Tommy DeVito on lead guitar and baritone vocals, Gerry Polci on drums, and Nick Massi on bass guitar and bass vocals. Frankie Valli and Tommy DeVito previously performed with Nick DeVito (Tommy's twin brother) and Hank Majewski as the Four Lovers. later on the Four Season where heavley shaped by the songwriting of band member Bob Gaudio, with arrangements and production that drew upon everything from Phil Spector's "Wall of Sound" to the danceable beat of Motown's pop/R&B singles. During a hitmaking streak that spanned the years 1962-68, the Four Seasons netted two dozen Top Forty singles, including the Number One hits "Sherry," "Big Girls Don't Cry," "Walk Like a Man" and "Rag Doll." They've sold over 100 million records worldwide, making them the most successful white doo-wop group in rock and roll history.
At their peak, the Four Seasons made recordings that expressed the tough-but-tender sensibility of their home turf in the Northeast much in the way the Beach Boys encapsulated the world of Southern California in harmony and song. In the words of Billy Joel, a longtime fan who grew up listening to them on Long Island, "The Four Seasons had wonderful chord progressions, beautiful writing, terrific production fantastic harmony, records that really spoke to us."
The band released their first hit "Sherry" in 1962. Under the guidance of producer/songwriter Bob Crewe, The Four Seasons followed up "Sherry" with several well-remembered hits, including "Big Girls Don't Cry", "Walk Like a Man" and "Candy Girl". In the mid 1960s, the British Invasion slowed down their career somewhat, but the Four Seasons released several more big hits in 1964, such as "Dawn", "Rag Doll", which was the first single on WABC Radio, New York to be "pick hit of the week" one week and the number 1 single the following week, "Big Man in Town", "Ronnie" and "Save It for Me". Nick Massi left the Four Seasons in 1965 and was replaced by Joe Long who became the mainstay on bass and backup vocals until 1976. Several more Top 10 singles followed, including "Let's Hang On", "Working My Way Back To You", "Can't Take My Eyes Off You", and "C'mon Marianne"; but by late 1967, the group's popularity was deteriorating, as public interest moved towards rock with a harder edge and more socially conscious lyrics. The band would, however, enjoy a brief revival in their popularity in the mid 1970s, with the hits "Who Loves You", "Swearin' to God", and their last number one hit "December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night)".
Big Girl
the Four Seasons Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Big girls don't cry
Big girls don't cry (they don't cry)
Big girls don't cry (who said they don't cry?)
My girl said goodbye (my, oh, my)
My girl didn't cry (I wonder why)
(Silly boy) hoped that she would call my bluff
(Silly boy) then she said to my surprise
"Big girls don't cry"
Big girls don't cry (they don't cry)
Big girls don't cry (who said they don't cry?)
(Maybe) I was cruel (I was cruel)
Baby I'm a fool (I'm such a fool)
(Silly girl) "Shame on you" your mama said
(Silly girl) "Shame on you, you're cryin' in bed"
(Silly girl) "Shame on you, you told me lies"
Big girls do cry
Big girls don't cry (they don't cry)
Big girls don't cry (that's just an alibi)
Big girls don't cry
Big girls don't cry
Big girls don't cry
Big girls don't cry
Big girls don't cry
The Four Seasons' song, Big Girls Don't Cry, is a song about heartbreak and the emotional restraint that is expected from women who are seen as "big girls". The lyrics of the song talk about a boy who thought he could break up with his girlfriend and get away with it, only to be surprised when she didn't react as expected. The girl in question shows emotional maturity and strength by not crying or begging for him back - something that was expected of girls back in the days when the song was released in 1962.
The song also explores the double standard of gender norms and expectations, where it is seen as acceptable for women to show emotions like crying, but it is not seen as masculine for men to do so. The boy in the song struggles to deal with his own sadness after the breakup, but he is afraid to show it because it is viewed as a weakness.
Overall, the lyrics of the song deal with themes of heartbreak, gender norms, and expectations placed on men and women. The song was a huge hit for The Four Seasons and has since become a classic that is still played on oldies radio stations today.
Line by Line Meaning
Big girls don't cry
Girls who are mature and strong don't show their emotions by crying.
Big girls don't cry (they don't cry)
Emphasizing that mature and strong girls never cry.
Big girls don't cry (who said they don't cry?)
Questioning who actually said that mature and strong girls don't cry.
My girl said goodbye (my, oh, my)
Expressing surprise and disappointment that his girlfriend broke up with him.
My girl didn't cry (I wonder why)
Wondering why his ex-girlfriend didn't cry during the break-up.
(Silly boy) told my girl we had to break up
Pointing out that the boy who broke up with his girlfriend was foolish and insensitive.
(Silly boy) hoped that she would call my bluff
Indicating that the boy was hoping his girlfriend would not take the break-up seriously.
(Silly boy) then she said to my surprise
Implying that the boy was taken aback by his girlfriend's reaction.
"Big girls don't cry"
His ex-girlfriend declared that mature and strong girls don't cry.
(Maybe) I was cruel (I was cruel)
Admitting that he may have been cruel to his girlfriend.
Baby I'm a fool (I'm such a fool)
Acknowledging that he was foolish in his treatment of his girlfriend.
(Silly girl) "Shame on you" your mama said
Her mother scolded her for being foolish and crying over a boy.
(Silly girl) "Shame on you, you're cryin' in bed"
Repeating her mother's scolding and shaming her for crying in bed.
(Silly girl) "Shame on you, you told me lies"
Her mother was shaming her for lying about not crying over the break-up.
Big girls do cry
Although the song's message is that big girls don't cry, the truth is that everyone can cry sometimes.
Big girls don't cry (that's just an alibi)
The earlier declaration that big girls don't cry is seen as an excuse or a cover-up for something else.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Tobias Gad, Stacy Ferguson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@-TheExposition-
Back in the early 90's right during my preteens I was riding in the car w/ my dad, stepmom and older teenage step sister. My step sister had been being such a brat and was now crying in protest at her mother snapping at her.
The radio was on but all attention was focused on her throwing a tantrum.
That all changed when this song starting playing out of nowhere.
My dad, step mom and myself lost it. Her mom was trying to so hard to muffle her own laughter but couldn't. My dad and I just freely cracked up. It was so fitting!
Step sister was so salty. It was as if the universe was saying "give it a rest already". She got the message too. Didn't say a word the rest of the car ride home. That was the first time I ever this song.
@anthonycolatrella2438
Great Story!
@jwream
You gotta love that lead tenor sound. As a tenor 2, I could never dream of having a range that high be that comfortable. Props to a legend
@hayal8526
💋❤
@garybooth4270
My fiancee and I just saw them last Friday in Lancaster Pennsylvania at the American Music Theatre....Frankie Valli just as good as he was in the sixties....
@matthewrandell5055
they don't make them like Frankie Valli anymore. glad to hear he's still at it too!
@teddybearcupcake6616
I love the part where they go yaiyaiyai
@choomummmaa4527
It's more * cryaiai
@teddybearcupcake6616
@@choomummmaa4527 I know but at first when I listened to this song and didn’t know the song name or anything I thought it was yaiyaiyai
@geeem5408
Hahahaha meee toooo